Jewelry is always subjected to praise as they represent a symbol of social status and even femininity. Numerous shiny bright jewelry shops glitter the city of Kolkata with their elegant posters and shimmering golden lights.

But the picture is quite the opposite in every way possible at many places where these shiny bright ornaments are made by local ornament makers. They get replaced by shabby environments, cramped workplaces without basic amenities, unhealthy environments with acid fumes hanging in the air. On top of all this the never ending and ever increasing demand of the ornaments throws challenging long work hours to these artisans with a pay structure that is comically unbelievable.

Efforts should be given to give them at least a proper workplace environment because these men with the golden job deserves better. (Arka Dutta)

The small uncomfortable and untidy tables reflect the poor infrastructureThe places also lack the basic efforts for sanitation and proper amenities for drinking waterPoor lightning and the posture in which workers have to squat and work is not at all ergonomicalRooms are often cramped with no free space at all.Acid washing of the ornaments is done in with the poorest of infrastructure and without ventilation and the fumes get inhaled by the men during the process which is unhealthy and toxic.The withered bowl for keeping ornaments too reflect the poor conditionIn the absence of separate or proper space for eating and resting, men eats and rest in the same small roomThe colourful but toxic fumesA worker gets some sleepTypical ornament making tableThe finished ornament looks shiny and bright but the unhealthy environment and the poor infrastructure under which they are needs immediate improvement. Submit your photo essay